West Feliciana High School’s Williamson selected regional finalist for Student of the Year

Photo provided by Kati Williamson -- West Feliciana High School seior Zoe Willliamson at home in St. Francisville.

The Louisiana Department of Education has announced the 18 students selected as regional finalists in the state’s annual Students of the Year competition, and Zoe Williamson, of West Feliciana High School, has made the list.

The finalists include one fifth-, eighth- and 12th-grader from each of the state’s six regions, representing public and nonpublic schools.

Williamson, 17, is the only female among the six 12th-graders selected. She is the daughter of Kati Luke Williamson and lives in St. Francisville.

The finalists will convene at the Louisiana State Museum in Baton Rouge on April 13 for an awards ceremony and the announcement of the state’s Students of the Year winners from each grade level.

“Congratulations to each of these students for their impressive accomplishments and for being recognized among Louisiana’s best,” state Superintendent John White said in a news release. “These students represent the great potential of young people across the state, and we applaud the positive impact they are making in their classrooms, schools, communities and the state.”

Regional selection committees use portfolios of accomplishments created by each student, along with student writing samples and interviews to assess the communication and critical-thinking skills of each candidate to name the regional finalists.

Prior to selecting the three state winners, the State Student Achievement Selection Committee will conduct interviews and review a writing sample from each of the finalists.